Worawut wants the national coach's job, says Somyot

sports April 20, 2017 01:00

The Football Association of Thailand president, Pol Gen Somyot Poompanmuang, has welcomed an approach from Worawut Srimaka to take charge of the national team, provided that the former national striker agrees to work on a full-time basis.

Worawut earned the first piece of silverware with the national under-23 side last month when they claimed the Dubai Cup, a friendly tournament held in the United Arab Emirates, before being appointed as the new coach of Thai League club Suphanburi FC recently.

Somyot yesterday called in Worawut for a discussion about his U-23 post at the Thai FA headquarters, during which the 45-year-old expressed his interest in managing the national senior side following the abrupt departure of his fellow former national striker Kiatisak Senamuang last month.

“The discussions were frank and we talked like brothers. I told him clearly that I wanted every coach under me to do a full-time job as he needs to report his work to the technical director every week. I feel it is impossible for him to coach both his club and the national team at the same time.

“He needs to choose between his Suphanburi job and the national team. He told me he wanted to be the national team coach. But he asked to work for Suphanburi for a while until they could find a new coach to replace him.

“I told him that would not be appropriate since it could affect the national team if things go on much longer. But, he assured me that he would work with Suphanburi for a short term and it won’t have any impact on the national team.

“It’s fine if that’s the case. Nevertheless, if that continues much longer, I would have to call him in again to make a definite decision. So, I would like to ask Khun Top [Varawut Silpa-archa, Suphanburi FC president] to make a quick decision [regarding Worawut’s future] because we don’t have much time [to appoint a new coach]. The national team has a series of matches.

“I won’t do anything if Worawut wanted to coach Suphanburi but he made it clear to me that he wanted to serve the country in the national team post,” said the Thai FA president.